In the earlier ages it was not yet hard to keep the sūtra. [But] if it is very hard to keep it [in the latter age], the low level of knowledge and self-confidence [are the probable causes]. Hence, Mañjuśrī asked [the Buddha] about the way to guide learners in the evil age.

Although keeping the sūtra in the latter age involves a lot of evils, if they dwell in four dharmas, the latter age does not mean suffering. Dwelling in them certainly leads to security; hence, it is said, “dwelling securely.” As regards the dharmas for teaching the Path, the practical modus operandi are as follows.

“Mañjuśrī! What are the proper practices the Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas should perform? He should be patient, mild and meek. He should not be rash, timorous, or attached to anything. He should see things as they are. He should not be attached to his nonattachment to anything. Nor should he be attached to his seeing thing as they are. These are the proper practices the Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas should perform.

{First, by dwelling securely in the place where
the bodhisattva acts, in the place that he approaches with familiarity, he shall be able to set forth this scripture for the sake of living beings.}

When, having entered li, [the bodhisattva] fulfills it, he is in “the place [where the bodhisattva] acts.” Although he has not yet entered li, if he is familiar with it and close to it, he is in “the place he approaches with familiarity.” Also they are, as beginning and end, conjoined as one thing [or Dharma].

{If a bodhisattva-mahāsattva dwells on the ground of forbearance;
if he is gentle, agreeable, good, and acquiescent, not given to fits of
violence, nor at heart becoming alarmed;}

He who is in “the place [where the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas] acts” regards from beginning to end forbearance as the primary [virtue]. These five virtues belong to the beginning.

{if, further, he performs no
act with respect to the dharmas, but views the dharmas in keeping with
their true marks;}

So far the virtues of having li in mind have been explicated; now the abilities of “viewing” and “performing” are introduced. These four things constitute the end of “the place [where the bodhisattva mahāsattvas] acts.”